Bishop’s Lodge Resort & Spa

The Bishop's Lodge Ranch Resort & Spa, which began as a private retreat for the city's first archbishop, is on a beautiful hillside outside Santa Fe, with wonderful views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains -- parts of the movie "Crazy Heart" were filmed around here. The adobe-style property is a mix of wood and clay structures and tile floors. Wooden coffee tables and leather couches and chairs are arranged in front of a large fireplace in the comfortable lobby/common space. Native American art and textiles decorate the entire property. The hotel's restaurant, Las Fuentes, is currently closed for renovation -- its large terrace with an outdoor fireplace offered a lovely views of the surrounding land. 

The large pool, with a small hot tub next to it, is also closed for renovations, as is the spa, until fall of 2015. 

The Bishop's Lodge Ranch Resort & Spa might seem remote, set in the dry mountainous terrain with a smattering of trees, desert bushes, and rocky passes, but it's within a 10-minute drive of downtown Santa Fe. The hotel has a number of hiking and cycling trails. It runs a shuttle into town, although it doesn't seem to run on a predictable schedule, so it's best to have a car. The hotel offers free parking. 

The room decor at the Bishop's Lodge highlights the local culture in its mix of adobe and rustic styling, Native American art, and wood furnishings. The 111 rooms are large, especially the Superior and Deluxe Rooms, which have seating areas and fireplaces. Deluxe Room bathrooms are large and beautifully tiled, with deep-seated tubs; other bathrooms are smaller but beautifully tiled. Some guests have complained about drafts and cold temperatures in the rooms during cold months, suggesting that they might be difficult to heat. Many rooms are currently undergoing renovation.

The Bishop's Lodge Ranch Resort & Spa has a large heated pool, a spa that offers beauty and body treatments, and a medium-size fitness center. It offers horseback riding, skeet shooting, hiking, cycling, and daily yoga. There's a beautiful, historic wedding chapel on-site too. The restaurant, which, like much of the property, is undergoing renovation, offers beautiful views from its outdoor terrace. Many guests, though, complain that many activities are either canceled, or are contingent on the weather or the availability of instructors. Pets are welcome here. Wi-Fi and parking are both free. The hotel is currently undergoing renovation -- the spa, restaurant, and pool are closed until the fall of 2015.